Newcastle's Liberal Democrats are demanding that Green Party councillors publicly reject the 'Zionism is Racism' motion, a move that threatens the stability and co-operation agreement underpinning the city council's administration.
The Lib Dems formed a minority administration at the Civic Centre in May after a post-election deadlock left no single party with majority control. The Greens agreed to support the administration under a 'stability and co-operation' agreement. However, a divisive motion passed at the Green Party's recent conference, declaring Zionism a form of racism and calling for 'a single democratic state throughout historic Palestine', has sparked a backlash from MPs, Jewish campaigners, and the European Green movement.
Pressure on the Partnership
Labour and Reform UK both called on the Lib Dems to rethink their partnership with the Greens last week. On Monday night, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey ruled out entering into any national deal with a party 'committed to a dangerous and antisemitic policy like the Green Party's' and urged local groups to 'put a clear demand to those Green Party councillors: publicly reject this motion, and commit to campaigning for its reversal'.
Some Lib Dem councillors in Newcastle are understood to harbour serious misgivings about continuing to rely on Green support. The relationship was discussed at a Newcastle Lib Dem group meeting on Monday evening, which came after Green Party leader Zack Polanski confirmed he would not overturn the motion and that it would remain Green policy until 2028.
Lib Dem Call to Action
On Tuesday, the Newcastle Lib Dems told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that they were now calling on local Green leader Nick Hartley and his colleagues to 'make their position on the ‘Zionism is Racism’ motion clear' and 'commit to working to reverse the motion as their national policy'.
If the 'stability and co-operation' agreement were to collapse, it would leave the council in a state of major uncertainty. The Lib Dems are the city's largest party, but hold only 25 of 78 council seats and are well short of an overall majority. The Greens hold 24, Reform UK 23, Labour two, and there are four independents.
Green Leader's Response
Mark Mitchell, the city council's deputy Lib Dem leader, said: “'Zionism is Racism’ is an antisemitic argument which I first campaigned against 35 years ago – when it was used to harass and intimidate Jewish students. Now, it is being used to attack Jews across the UK and Europe. Zack Polanski could have shown leadership on this issue. Instead, he has run away from defending Jews and combatting antisemitism. The Greens must show leadership and reject this motion.”
Coun Hartley said that he had not voted in support of the Zionism motion at the party conference, but could 'appreciate and understand' why others had. He did not commit his group to rejecting the motion and asked the Lib Dems to 'keep putting people before party and continue the work we have started together for Newcastle'.
The Byker councillor, whose relationship with the Lib Dems already endured a test earlier this month when he instructed the Greens to vote against the council administration and with Reform UK in relation to a land sale controversy in Newbiggin Hall, told the LDRS: “I understand the concerns raised following the Brighton Conference. Supporters of the motion have been explicit that this is addressing the Israeli state and its military, opposing the genocide in Gaza and the denial of Palestinian rights.
“At the same time, I recognise that many Jewish people and others have genuine concerns about the motion, and those concerns deserve to be heard and taken seriously. That includes recognising the diversity of opinion within Jewish communities, including Jewish people who are themselves anti-Zionist. That is why I personally could not vote for the unamended motion at conference, and I appreciate and understand the reasons those that did.
“For me, politics is about compassion, recognising difference and challenging polarisation when it drives us apart. It also means respecting democratic political processes while being clear about where we agree and disagree. On this issue, that means being firm against antisemitism while speaking clearly about the genocide, injustice and suffering experienced by Palestinians.
“Greens are not told what to do by party bosses; we are elected to stand up for our residents in the way we believe best serves them. I ask the Liberal Democrats to keep putting people before party and continue the work we have started together for Newcastle.”
Opponents also criticised the Greens recently for reinstating Arthur’s Hill ward councillor Mohammed Suleman, who had been suspended for reposting a video on TikTok in which Jews were described as 'ungrateful, merciless, and without love'.
